Bridging Social Impact, Sustainability
A visionary woman entrepreneur, Smita Roy is leading an endeavour to repurpose waste materials and uplift the lives of underprivileged women. As the Co-founder and Managing Trustee of Peepal Tree Foundation, her journey is a compelling narrative of social entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
Roy's belief in the potential of waste is evident from her venture, which is engaged in transforming discarded materials from garment factories into exquisite products, thereby diverting them from landfills. This is helping address two critical social issues, namely combating the escalating landfill crisis and empowering underprivileged women from Delhi's slums through meaningful employment.
Positive Impact
Explaining the positive impact of the foundation’s actions, Roy says, "The decision to employ women for waste management has proved to be a transformative move; it has helped in leveraging their innate skills in budget management and resourcefulness. This, in turn, empowers entire families, bringing about positive transformations in their lives."
The foundation has also established a small school in a previously underprivileged village through which underprivileged children receive holistic education, including science, math, and English, alongside extracurricular activities such as Taekwondo, music, art, and dance. The students' notable performance in competitions stand as a testament to the Peepal Tree Foundation's commitment to holistic development.
Funding Social Initiatives
The foundation sells its products through own website and Amazon, with the profits channelled towards funding its social initiatives. While considering retail expansion, Roy emphasises the benefits of online platforms, particularly in light of the lessons learned during the Covid pandemic, which have highlighted the importance of sustainability.
On transparency and sustainability at the core of the foundation's ethos, Roy states, "Customers are well-informed about the eco-friendly nature of the products, crafted from waste materials, while maintaining high-quality standards, ensuring that customers are delighted with their purchases."
A Viable Model
Speaking on social entrepreneurship as a viable model, Roy says the landscape is shifting, with more people acknowledging the impact of waste generation and recognising the potential of socially conscious business endeavours.
As Roy continues her mission to create a greener world and empower women, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to combine business acumen with a profound social impact. Every waste product transformed into a masterpiece and every life empowered under her initiative exemplify the extraordinary results that can be achieved when passion meets purpose.
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